Practical Prevention -- Cholesterol Counts for Women and Seniors Too

Most people know that middle-aged men with
high cholesterol
levels are prone to
heart attacks. What many people don't recognize is that cholesterol is just as dangerous for women and people over age 65.

In the US,
coronary heart disease
is the leading killer of women, as well as men. About equal numbers of both sexes contribute to the toll of over 500,000 deaths each year from heart disease. There are some differences, though. For instance, men tend to develop heart attacks earlier, while women usually don't experience them until later in life.

Postmenopausal Changes in Cholesterol

Women rapidly catch up with men with respect to heart disease during
menopause. The female sex hormone estrogen tends to raise HDL (good) cholesterol. A woman produces the most estrogen during her childbearing years. When she enters menopause, her body produces less estrogen. At this time the ample levels of HDL that seem to protect younger women take a nosedive. Other blood fats such as triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol may start to skyrocket. As a result, about 75% of women over age 55 have unhealthy levels of cholesterol as compared to only 25% of younger women. These changes at least partly explain why a woman's risk of heart attack more than doubles after menopause.

Better Care for Women and Seniors

Research suggests that cholesterol treatment is at least as effective in preventing heart disease in women and seniors as it is in younger men. It is just as important for women and seniors to monitor their cholesterol levels and make the lifestyle changes that will help them to lower their LDL cholesterol and raise their HDL cholesterol. Lifestyle changes include a heart healthy diet and regular exercise. If you smoke, there are many successful programs that can help you quit. Your doctor may also prescribe medications that lower cholesterol.

Detecting and Controlling High Cholesterol

Current guidelines recommend aggressive drug therapy and lifestyle changes for seniors, with careful attention to individual circumstances. In addition, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) advises all adults aged 20 years or older to have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years. This should include a blood test for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Do you know your cholesterol levels? When was the last time you had them tested? Check out the tables below to see what the normal and desirable ranges for people without other heart disease risk factor.

Total cholesterol

Less than 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L)Desirable

200-239 mg/dL (5.2-6.1 mmol/L)Borderline high

240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) or higher High

mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter (mmol/L = millimoles per liter)

LDL (bad) cholesterol

Less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)Optimal

100-129 mg/dL (2.6-3.3 mmol/L)Near optimal/above optimal

130-159 mg/dL (3.4-4.0 mmol/L)Borderline high

160-189 mg/dL (4.1-4.8 mmol/L)High

190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) or higherVery high

mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter (mmol/L = millimoles per liter)

HDL (good) cholesterol

Less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)Low

60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or higher Desirable

mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter (mmol/L = millimoles per liter)

Triglycerides

Less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)Normal

150-199 mg/dL (1.7-2.2 mmol/L)Borderline high

200-499 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L)High

500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L) or higher Very high

mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter (mmol/L = millimoles per liter)

If you have other risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes, your docotor may recommend lower target cholesterol levels. Discuss your risk factors and cholesterol goals with your doctor.

Factors That Worsen Cholesterol Risk

If you have unhealthy amounts of cholesterol or other fats in your blood, the guidelines advise treatment based on your level of risk. The most aggressive therapy is warranted for those at highest risk for heart disease, says NCEP. This includes people with the following conditions:

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

At-a-glance: what yo uneed to know about high blood cholesterol. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/cholesterol%5Fatglance.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2013.

Heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm. Updated September 3, 2013. Accessed October 16, 2013.